Saturday, June 21st was my Grandma Julie's 80th birthday - had to celebrate that one more time.
Saturday, June 28th was my childhood best friend's 28th birthday, so for the next sixth months Amy Grant and I will be the same age again - welcome to oldville dear one.
Yesterday, some of my dear sweet friends were in ATL for the Deeper Still conference and came to church with us and we had a great time of food and fellowship afterwards --- Thanks so much, Tina, Sheri, and Nancy!!!
Today, momma is feeling better. Chris made it to South Bend safely and the kids and I are all in one piece. =)
Happy Mondaying to all!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Grandma Julie turned 80!
Home Again.
Well, we left Surfside Thursday after spending some QT with my dad's fam at Myrtle Beach - we spent the night in Chapin at my best friend's house to get up and drive home today. So, we will begin the picture upload - enjoy!
Be praying for our loved ones who all seem to have so much going on right now. Pray for their protection and God's direction.
Be praying for our loved ones who all seem to have so much going on right now. Pray for their protection and God's direction.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Ahhhh,
I honestly do not know where to begin this post - and I apologize to the family, but there are no pics today. We are crazy busy vacationing --- I mean I do not know how much I have ridden in the car this past weekend. It's been awesome - God has provided such joy in the things encircling our lives and our loved ones - I am just so blessed.
We left GA a day late under shaky circumstances because Ollie had to revisit the urgent care with a lingering ear infection. We made it to Rock Hill, SC on Friday evening - stayed with my momma and daddy that night and loved it. Then Saturday morning we had pictures with my daddy's family for his mom's 80th birthday. Then (there will be a lot of then's) we met at Chris's folks' house to come to Surfside Beach. Then we left the kids with Grandma Jane and Pa David to go to a friend's wedding in Charleston on Sunday. Then we came back to the beach condo on Monday. Now, we are beach bums!
Ahhhhh...blessings to all.
We left GA a day late under shaky circumstances because Ollie had to revisit the urgent care with a lingering ear infection. We made it to Rock Hill, SC on Friday evening - stayed with my momma and daddy that night and loved it. Then Saturday morning we had pictures with my daddy's family for his mom's 80th birthday. Then (there will be a lot of then's) we met at Chris's folks' house to come to Surfside Beach. Then we left the kids with Grandma Jane and Pa David to go to a friend's wedding in Charleston on Sunday. Then we came back to the beach condo on Monday. Now, we are beach bums!
Ahhhhh...blessings to all.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
An Irish poem...
So you can giggle, too.
And I have to share --- how good God is at being our Provider when we let go and let HIM! I talked to my mom last night after VBS -- and she said that she was looking over their medical bills - trying to figure out how much of the thousands and thousands of dollars of the cost of chemotherapy would become theirs to pay. She said it was amazing, she logged on and so far --- she owes NOTHING! Every time she goes into the chemo clinic she pays a nominal copay and gets treatment or meds or whatever, and her account shows all these claims processed and she owes NOTHING! Did I say NOTHING???
Yeah, if you cannot believe that God will supply all your needs then you can shut yo' mouth and believe! Yeah, that's what I said. God is so good and faithful and true...and we are so undeserving of HIS glory, but he lavishes it on us anyway because HE loves us so much!
Momma is feeling well right now and on the upswing and hopefully, we'll be headed to see her by the end of this week. Be praying for them and us and traveling mercies and for next Tuesday, when Momma has her "bad" chemo treatments again.
With Much Love --- I am so humbly HIS.
"May those that love us, love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping."
And I have to share --- how good God is at being our Provider when we let go and let HIM! I talked to my mom last night after VBS -- and she said that she was looking over their medical bills - trying to figure out how much of the thousands and thousands of dollars of the cost of chemotherapy would become theirs to pay. She said it was amazing, she logged on and so far --- she owes NOTHING! Every time she goes into the chemo clinic she pays a nominal copay and gets treatment or meds or whatever, and her account shows all these claims processed and she owes NOTHING! Did I say NOTHING???
Yeah, if you cannot believe that God will supply all your needs then you can shut yo' mouth and believe! Yeah, that's what I said. God is so good and faithful and true...and we are so undeserving of HIS glory, but he lavishes it on us anyway because HE loves us so much!
Momma is feeling well right now and on the upswing and hopefully, we'll be headed to see her by the end of this week. Be praying for them and us and traveling mercies and for next Tuesday, when Momma has her "bad" chemo treatments again.
With Much Love --- I am so humbly HIS.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
one of those days...
yeah, you know what I mean - kids spill everything everywhere, no one cooperates, PB&J sticks to the wall after Ollie threw it, the storm door installer did the "best" he could with my cheapie-cheap new back door storm door and it looks like pookie, I decide to caulk it to make it "better," said caulk is junk and causes a caulk gun malfunction, said malfunction causes explosion of caulk at the end of the process, tired and wired mommy can't handle said explosion and kids in the same room, said failed items get thrown out the back door for a calmer moment, and did I mention -- "Get thee behind me Satan!!!!"
Something good must be gonna happen tonight at VBS because the devil sure does want me to give up on getting there tonight --- so it's been one of thoooooose days...
But pretty soon, I'll be singing O.I., O.I. and doing my terrible version of the hula and it won't have a lick of eternal value, no not a lick...
Something good must be gonna happen tonight at VBS because the devil sure does want me to give up on getting there tonight --- so it's been one of thoooooose days...
But pretty soon, I'll be singing O.I., O.I. and doing my terrible version of the hula and it won't have a lick of eternal value, no not a lick...
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day, ya'll!
And what better way to start the day than to worship with fellow believers?
Check out this quote on Steve Fee's blog --- you won't be disappointed!
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
I am so thankful that God "put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise."
I am also thankful that God put men in my life of Godly example, so that I might have a better view of my Heavenly Father --- I'd like to say of all of you that "Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods." Thank God He doesn't call us to be perfect --- He just calls us to sit at His feet, to know Him and become perfected in His image and His plan for us.
Happy Father's Day --- I hope you are receiving the blessing that comes with serving the Lord today.
Check out this quote on Steve Fee's blog --- you won't be disappointed!
Psalm 40:2-4 (New International Version)
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
I am so thankful that God "put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise."
I am also thankful that God put men in my life of Godly example, so that I might have a better view of my Heavenly Father --- I'd like to say of all of you that "Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods." Thank God He doesn't call us to be perfect --- He just calls us to sit at His feet, to know Him and become perfected in His image and His plan for us.
Happy Father's Day --- I hope you are receiving the blessing that comes with serving the Lord today.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Battles of other proportions...
First, congrats grads! Yay for you, class of 2008!
Now, for the Hillarity/millworthiness of it all! I picked this up on our friend's blog, after hearing about these events from friends at home. This is crazy, true and hilarious, but I guess, necessary.
Here's the story in the Fort Mill Times.
And from one perspective, I can see how it came to this. My husband, brother-in-law and I all graduated from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill 2 years apart and the ceremony was at the Winthrop Coliseum. I promise from Chris's grad in 1996 to mine in 1998 to his brother's in 2000 -- things got progressively out of control during the ceremonies. Kids/adults/attenders of all sorts became increasingly disrespectful of the event to the point of booing, shouting, bringing in "drinks" and even air horns. SO, I guess that the school board had had enough and enough complaints from those of us that were civilized people that they had to do something different. I applaud the effort...Rules become rules because some people just don't have any good sense whatsoever...I just don't know if the punishment fits the crime --- I would much rather these folks be charged in terms of community service by a family court judge. Let them pressure wash the high school they offended or paint white lines in the bus parking lots on a Carolina summer day...But that's just my opinion and we all know that opinions are like belly buttons; we all have one and they really aren't good for much.
Now, for the Hillarity/millworthiness of it all! I picked this up on our friend's blog, after hearing about these events from friends at home. This is crazy, true and hilarious, but I guess, necessary.
Here's the story in the Fort Mill Times.
And from one perspective, I can see how it came to this. My husband, brother-in-law and I all graduated from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill 2 years apart and the ceremony was at the Winthrop Coliseum. I promise from Chris's grad in 1996 to mine in 1998 to his brother's in 2000 -- things got progressively out of control during the ceremonies. Kids/adults/attenders of all sorts became increasingly disrespectful of the event to the point of booing, shouting, bringing in "drinks" and even air horns. SO, I guess that the school board had had enough and enough complaints from those of us that were civilized people that they had to do something different. I applaud the effort...Rules become rules because some people just don't have any good sense whatsoever...I just don't know if the punishment fits the crime --- I would much rather these folks be charged in terms of community service by a family court judge. Let them pressure wash the high school they offended or paint white lines in the bus parking lots on a Carolina summer day...But that's just my opinion and we all know that opinions are like belly buttons; we all have one and they really aren't good for much.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Epic Battles - the battle belongs to the Lord
So, I've been reading and reading and reading and finally got caught back up in my chronological Bible's time schedule to read the Bible in a year...and I picked back up while 4 days behind to read 2 Chronicles 20 -- the story of King Jehoshaphat defeating Moab and Ammon miraculously because of what the Lord did -- a battle ensued God's people after Jehoshaphat had gone throughout his kingdom to try to turn people back to the Lord, the God of Israel...read on...
2 Chronicles 20 (New International Version)
Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.
2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
(Shouldn't we all stop to inquire of the Lord and stop our every day lives to come together to seek help from the Lord during crises?)
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:
"O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'
10 "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
(Oh, Lord, "we do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.")
13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.
14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "(Don't be afraid or discouraged because of ANYTHING. For the battle is not YOURS, but God's. Face life - The LORD is with you.)
18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.
(BOW down and worship the LORD. And praise the LORD with a very loud voice.)
20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
"Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever."
22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.
27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the LORD with harps and lutes and trumpets.
29 The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
It doesn't matter what your battle may be right now - stop and bow down and recognize that it is not yours to fight -- the battle belongs to the Lord. Allow HIM to fight for you for His glory to shine on and on and on. Worship HIM and praise HIM. Rejoice.Monday, June 9, 2008
Things a'lookin' up...
Well, Sunday was a gooooood day. Thank you, thank you, Jesus.
Sunday morning was great and Sunday afternoon - better! I called my mom and she was actually up and feeling better and pain had subsided - and I believe she told me she was craving salsa and cheese, so that's gotta be a good sign. We all took naps --- but sadly, we all slept/napped so late that we weren't up in time to go back to church at our church that evening - bad little baptists, we are. But we enjoyed dinner at a reasonable pace and got kids bathed and pj'd...
And then we got our "call of the day." Our old youth group from FBCFM was on its way by here. We got the babysitter here and we headed to Carrollton, GA and joined Evans and a mighty fine young man to lead in worship for the 120-some folks headed to Student Life camp today in Alabama. It was glorious! Who needs sleep? WE worshipped with our friends and gave hugs all around and still made it to Kroger for milk and a Sunday paper and home again by midnight!
WE are so grateful to everyone that blessed us yesterday - you know who you are - no need to name drop! Thank you, thank you, Jesus!
Sunday morning was great and Sunday afternoon - better! I called my mom and she was actually up and feeling better and pain had subsided - and I believe she told me she was craving salsa and cheese, so that's gotta be a good sign. We all took naps --- but sadly, we all slept/napped so late that we weren't up in time to go back to church at our church that evening - bad little baptists, we are. But we enjoyed dinner at a reasonable pace and got kids bathed and pj'd...
And then we got our "call of the day." Our old youth group from FBCFM was on its way by here. We got the babysitter here and we headed to Carrollton, GA and joined Evans and a mighty fine young man to lead in worship for the 120-some folks headed to Student Life camp today in Alabama. It was glorious! Who needs sleep? WE worshipped with our friends and gave hugs all around and still made it to Kroger for milk and a Sunday paper and home again by midnight!
WE are so grateful to everyone that blessed us yesterday - you know who you are - no need to name drop! Thank you, thank you, Jesus!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Pray during the toiling...
Mom is having a bad weekend, again - pray with me for her and daddy. They were at the hospital yesterday trying to build her back up -- but today seems to be no better. Pray for comfort and rest and health for them both. I cannot help but be reminded of the apostle Paul and just how much he poured his life out for Christ and the church and how afflicted he always felt by his own flesh. But I love that --- that even in his own frail human exhaustion, he knew there was more to this life than living and dying and he battled on. I hope the passage below from the NIV brings something to your heart today --- today, yesterday and probably tomorrow, I'll be dwelling on the final verse, Colossians 1:29 ---
"To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."I know we all struggle and I know my folks are struggling today and will be tomorrow and until chemo is done for momma --- but how encouraging is God's Word! We might be under excruciating circumstances -- but we can "labor, struggling with all HIS energy, which so powerfully works in me." How grateful I am that God's Word is living and breathing - waiting to fill us up when we would rest a moment to sit at His feet. How grateful, other wise, I don't know if any of us could stand under the excruciating.
Paul's Labor for the Church - Colossians Chapter One
24Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
More...
This was the Saturday after going to the doc, when we were supposed to go to Rock Hill -
Ollie was cutting all 4 one year old molars, had an upper respiratory infection, and ear infections, too.
Ollie was cutting all 4 one year old molars, had an upper respiratory infection, and ear infections, too.
I think Emma Grace would have rather been anywhere but where her sick little bro was.
This is our new patio set - wrought iron and I love that I got the whole set for the regular price of the 4 chairs at Garden Ridge - it was worth going to "town" to get it!
Ollie began plotting...
He has a new fascination with the couch cushions - he enjoys shoving things down in the couch, then retrieving them randomly...but I have to watch because he tries to eat the things he retrieves.
Enjoy.
If you can't make it out --- that was a cupcake.
I can't imagine what thoughts he was having --- that cupcake didn't last 2 secs.
I can't imagine what thoughts he was having --- that cupcake didn't last 2 secs.
Sissy wanted a pic made of her, too.
"Who, me?"
And sissy, too...
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
So far so good...
Talked to momma this morning - briefly - she felt really tired and like she'd been punched in the stomach, again, but over all, not horrible! Keep praying - if the gauntlet falls, it usually hits any time in the first 7 days following the super chemo. Pray and hope.
We love you all and God hears - we pray God's will and hope in Him alone - our faith rests in Him.
And I don't think I posted here - that mom finished genetic counseling and she does not carry the BRCA1 or 2 breast cancer gene - which means my kids and I are at no greater risk than anyone else --- PTL --- but I guarantee you that every girl and woman in my life will hear our stories and think pink! We should all be diligent in caring for ourselves --- not for vanity and pride, but for our health and well being - we are God's temple, aren't we? I know this "temple" could stand a little more "care" than I currently give. Again, God is so faithful, when I am not! Thank God!
We love you all and God hears - we pray God's will and hope in Him alone - our faith rests in Him.
And I don't think I posted here - that mom finished genetic counseling and she does not carry the BRCA1 or 2 breast cancer gene - which means my kids and I are at no greater risk than anyone else --- PTL --- but I guarantee you that every girl and woman in my life will hear our stories and think pink! We should all be diligent in caring for ourselves --- not for vanity and pride, but for our health and well being - we are God's temple, aren't we? I know this "temple" could stand a little more "care" than I currently give. Again, God is so faithful, when I am not! Thank God!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Say A Little Prayer Today...
And say a big one, too. Mom has her second triple pack chemo treatment today. The last one was a doozy, so please pray her through this one.
I love you, momma! Take good care of her, daddy.
Psalm 31:24 "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."
We're all hoping and hoping.
I love you, momma! Take good care of her, daddy.
Psalm 31:24 "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."
We're all hoping and hoping.
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